Form means for concrete curbs and gutters



May 28, 1968 J. o. voN DRASEK ETAL 3,385,552

FORM MEANS FOR CONCRETE CURBS AND GUTTERS Filed Feb, 18, 1966 6 Sheets-Sheet l j`I` 2 Fl 25 2 I v7 27,

900 fof May 28, 1968 J. o. voN DRASEK ETAL 3,385,552

FORM MEANS FQR CONCRETE CURBS AND GUTTERS 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 18, 1966 0&0.

Jose j? zzfas'e agyffd a. Todd qfc/ 2l/a er 1122.402? ecczzy BJ A Y May 28, 1968 .1. o. VON DRASEK ETAL 3,385,552

FORM MEANS FOR CONCRETE CURBS AND GUTTERS Filed Feb. 18, 1966 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 l fo@ Joge 0. V012 JUSe/, ijf/ward' d. 7b4/Z 0"/ Waffe!" 'hozzz'ecjnly May 28, 1968 J. o. VON DRASEK ETAL 3,385,552

FORM MEANS FOR CONCRETE CURBS AND GUTTERS Filed Feb. 18, 1966 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 May 28, 1968 J. o. VON DRASEK r-:TAL

FORM MEANS FOR CONCRETE CURBS AND GUTTERS,

Filed Feb. 18. 196e 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 NN hm 'm2 7. #/mbx SL.. f n GNILA United States Patent O "ice i 3,385,552 FORM MEANS FOR CGNCRETE CURBS AND GU'ITERS Joseph 0. Von Drasek, Chicago, Edward A. Todd,

McHenry, and Walter T. Skonieczny, Chicago, Ill.,

assignors to Dee Concrete Accessories Co., Chicago,

lll., a corporation of Iliinois Filed Feb. 18, 1966, Ser. No. 528,628 10 Claims. (Cl. 249-4) This invention relates generally to forms or mol-ds for shaping and forming poured concrete structures such as curbs, gutters and the like and more particularly is directed to improved means for forming battered radius curbs and gutters.

The improved form means of the present invention comprises among its features a unique, articulately flexible metal form member mountable to formulate appropriate battered radius barrier means for containing poured or liquiied concrete mixtures in molding and forming the same into roadway curbing. This invention also comprises devices utilized with the improved radius form member to formulate a curb from assembly including division plates, top spreaders, partial divisional plates, flexible yradius form members and face form holders which cooperate to provide a desired curb form system. Among other outstanding features of the present invention is the structural uniqueness of the improved battere-d radius member thereof which comprises one r more metal segments interconnected in tandem series with articulate intercouplers, each segment having a plurality of articulating slots cut inwardly of a lower curvilinear apron portion thereof whereby the segment is readily conformable to circumferential arcs and alignments of both inward and outward curb radii; the segments in their tandem relationship being capable of limited longitudinal and pivotal relative movement. Unique exible keeper means are associated with a plurality of the tandem assembled form segments, to maintain the slotted apron portions thereofY in planar alignment when forming a selected curvilinear barrier therewith. The improved radius form members further are cooperatively associated with improved quick acting top spreader and self-coupling division members in forming peripheral barriers of radial curb and gutter form systems all to the end that the form means of this invention may be readily assembled and disassembled.

An important object of the present invention is t0 provide improved means for forming poured concrete curbs and gutters.

Another important object of this invention is to provide new and improved battered radius form means for curb form systems which is capable of operative alignment about inward and outward curb radii.

A further object of this invention is to provide new and improved curb form means having an ar-ticulately flexible battered radius form member and cooperating spreader and divider means and locking means whereby form means of this invention are quickly and easily assembled and knocked down.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved top spreader and divider plate means for curb and gutter form assemblies.

An additional object of this invention is to provide improved face form hanger means for use in curb and gutter form assemblies.

Having thus described the present invention the above and further objects, features and advantages thereof will appear from time to time in the hereinafter set forth description of a preferred embodiment thereof, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and constituting the best 3,385,552 Patented May 28, 1968 mode presently contemplated for teaching those persons skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains how to make and use the same.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the form means of this invention assembled for outside ra-diu-s curbs and gutters;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view, similar to FIGURE l, showing the form means of this invention assembled for inside radius curb and gutters;

FIGURE 3 is a view in end elevation taken substantially from vantage 3 3 of FIGURE 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows thereon;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged, foreshortened cross-sectional view taken along vantage line 4-4 of FIGURE 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows thereon, illustrating the features of a division plate means;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged, foreshortened cross-sectional view taken substantially along vantage line 5-5 of FIGURE 2 and looking in 'the direction of the arrows thereon to illustrate, in elevation, the features of a partial division plate and top spreader means used in the FIGURE 2 assembly;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along vantage line 6 6 of FIGURE 2 illustrating the features of another form of partial division and top spreader plate;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged top plan view of a segment of a battered radius form member employed in the form means illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2, showing the same oriented for alignment to an inside curb radius, as illustrated in FIGURE 2 of the drawings;

FIGURE 8 is another top plan view of a section of the battered radius form member, similar 'to FIGURE 7, but showing the same oriented for an outside radius curb according to the assembly illustrated in FIGURE 1 of the drawings;

FIGURE 9 is a front elevational view of the form segment illustrated in FIGURE 8 showing means for articulately interconnecting related form sections;

FIGURE 10 is an end elevational view of the form segment illustrated in FIGURE 9;

FIGURE l1 is a top plan view of a multiple segment ba'ttered radius form member according to this invention;

FIGURE 12 is a top plan view illustrating the assembly of a radius form section and a straight curb face form section according to this invention;

FIGURE 13 is a cross-sectional view foreshortened and taken substantially along vantage line 13-13 of FIGURE 12, looking in the ydirection of the arrows thereon, to illustrate features of face form hanger means of this invention;

FIGURE 14 is a partial cross-sectional view taken substantially along vantage line 14--14 of FIGURE13 and looking in the direction of the arrows thereon; and

FIGURE 15 is another cross-sectional view taken substantially along vantage line 15-15 of FIGURE 13 and looking in the direction of the arrows thereon to illustrate features of improved locking means employed with the face hanger means shown in FIGURE 13.

Turning now to the features of the preferred embodiment of this invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be recognized from FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, in particular, that the improved form means according to this invention, indicated generally by numeral 20, comprises a combined roadway curb and gutter form assembly made up by combining a pair of upright parallel spaced flexible radius members 21 and 22 interjoined by means of transverse full division, spreader members 23, and partial division spreader members 24 and 25, disposed at spaced intervals along the length of the radius members 21 and 22. Mountedintermediate to two outside boundary forming members 21 and 22, and held in parallel spaced relation thereto by connector means associated with the several division members 23-25, is an articulately flexible battered radius member 26, bounding the curb face to be formed.

It will ybe recognized by those skilled in the art that the illustration of the form means 20, set out in FIG. 1, complies with the requirement of a curb and gutter having a so-called outside radius or that is, a center of curvature located on the gutter side of the form means. By way of contrast, the assembly 20 seen in FIG. 2, which embodies the same combination of elements shown in FIG. 1, is formulated according to a curb and gutter having an inside radius, or that is, one in which the radial center is disposed on the curb side of the form. It also will be appreciated that in order to maintain the flexible radius members 21 and 22 in a desired parallel spaced relation along the curvilinear profile of a desired curbing, each of such radius members is held in position by means of a plurality of spaced metal anchor pins or stake members 27 held in anchor pockets 28 fastened to the outside Walls of the two radius members 21 and 22; the stakes being locked to the pockets 28 by drive wedge members 29. As shown best in FIG. 3 of the drawings, the flexible radius member 21 is of substantially lesser vertical extent than the opposing flexible radius member 22, so as to provide for the necessary difference in elevation between the gutter barrier bounded by radius member 21 and the curb barrier bonded by the curb side radius member 22. It will also be recognized from FIG. 3 that the battered radius member 26 as therein illustrated comprises a so-called J battered radius, that is, one having a cross-sectional configuration emulating the J letter, although the teaching and concepts of the present invention embodied in the battered radius member 26 are by no means restricted to the J cross-sectional configuration for such member.

Having thus enumerated various elemental portions of the form means according to this invention, as illustrated in the assembly views, FIGS. l and 2, the structural details and features of each will now be described:

With reference to FIG. 1 or 2 and FIG. 4, the curbside flexible radius member 21, as shown, comprises an elongated flexible metal (preferably spring steel) body portion 31 formed as a substantially rectangular band, usually of a convenient length in the order of feet, according to recognized and accepted practice. Rigidly aflixed, at spaced intervals along the outer face of the body portion 31, are a plurality of the so-called anchor pockets 28 of generally conventional construction and comprising metal strap members formed in a substantially triangular plan configuration (see FIG. 2) to provide divergent leg portions 32, 32 provided with a slidable wedge having coplanar outwardly turned foot ilanges 33 attached to the body portion 31 as by Welding or rivets 34 as shown. Openings 35 are provided in the opposing leg portions 32 to receive a slidable wedge member 29 therethrough. The generally cylindrical anchor pins 27 are adapted to be held between the wedge member and the apex of the triangular body portion of each anchor member, the anchor stakes being driven into the ground or undersupport and locked to the anchor pockets by driving the wedge means in an appropriate direction across the spaced legs 32, 32 of the pocket means to tightly wedge the anchor pin into the apex of the pocket, all according to known practice. While, as indicated, the pocket means 28 are generally conventional and in accordance with known practice, it is to be noted that the same depart over prior known structures in the art by virtue of registering aligned openings 36 formed through the base ends of the leg members adjacent the mounting foot flanges 33 as best illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings. As therein illustrated, such openings 36 slidingly receive an elongated metal strap member 37 which acts as a reinforcing means for stiflening the flexible body 31 of the radius member 21, especially between the points of anchorage, as provided by the spaced anchor pockets and hold-down stakes held therein. In operation, strap means 37 rides freely through the aligned openings 36, 36 of the pockets and slidingly engages the outside face of the flexible body portion 31 of the radius member 21, thereby taking on the contour of the latter according to the curvature dictated by the desired configuration of the curb or gutter to be formed.

To assist in aligning and interconnecting abutting adjacent radius members 21, according to the length of the radial curbing to be poured, flange members 38 are mounted at the ends of the body portion 31 thereof, as shown best in FIGURE 2.

The construction employed in the gutter side radius member 21 above described is also generally applied in the curb side radius member 22 (see FIG. 4) which includes a flexible metal body portion 40, which, however, has a vertical dimension substantially twice that of the gutter side radius member 21. A plurality of the anchor pocket members 28 are affixed to the outer face 41 of the body portion 40 at spaced intervals along its length as by rivet means 42, 42. It will be noted that each pocket member 28 carries a pair of parallel spaced wedge members 29', 29 operable in opposite directions to lock the hold-down stakes or pins 27 to the pockets as above-described. As in the construction of the pocket member 28 associated with the flexible radius member 21, each pocket 28' of the lradius member 22 is similarly provided with a pair of opposed sets of openings 43 and 44 for the sliding reception of reinforcing straps 45 at the users option. It will be noted further that the ends of the body member 40 for the flexible radius member 22 are equipped with connecting flanges 46, 46 for joining the same to adjacent flexible radius members or rigid form members as will appear later herein in conjunction with the assembly set out in FIG. 12 of the drawings.

Referring now to the features of the plate means 23 as indicated in FIG. 4 of the drawings, it will be recognized that the same comprises a semi-rigid planar body portion 50 having an elevational profile as best shown in FIG. 3 of the drawing, which conforms with the full crosssectional configuration of the combined curb and gutter bounded by form means 20. In greater particular, the body portion 5t), in the illustrated embodiment, is substantially L-shaped, as illustrated. yIn operation the L- shaped body 50 is disposed in a reclining position with the elongated arm or leg 51 thereof substantially horizontal and the foot portion S1 thereof disposed vertically between the flexible radius member 22 and the battered radius member 26. This provides a complete divisional barrier across the concrete receptive interior of the form means 20 according to recognized practice. As will be appreciated, particularly with reference to FIGS. l and 2, in a typical assembly for the form means 20, several of the division plate means may be employed according to local building code `requirements to divide the poured concrete into separate sections or divisions.

In order to connect the division plate means 23 to and between the flexible barrier means provided by the radius members 21 and 22, the outer upper corner of the long leg portion 51 of the L-shaped body 50 thereof is provided with a rectangular metal strap 53 welded or otherwise aflixed transversely across the -upper edge 54 of the leg portion 51. Such strap 53 is bent downwardly to provide a locking tab portion 55 located beyond the outer end of the leg portion 51 (see FIG. 4) and is thereby adapted, in operation, to overhang the upper edge S6 of the radius `member 21, securely locking the adjacent end of the division plate means 23 to the radius member 21. It will be noticed that the strap 53 is considerably wider than the cross-sectional thickness of the plate-like body portion 50 so that the engagement between the strap 53 and the upper edge 56 of the 'radius member provides a statically stable connection which prevents tipping or rotational movement of the divider means 23 relative to the radius member 21.

Located radially inwardly yfrom the strap 53 is a similar locking plate 58, similarly fixed transversely to t-he upper edge 54 of the leg portion 51. Plate 58 includes an upwardly turned tab portion S9 which is adapted to overlie one edge of the battered radius member 26 to properly locate the latter on the division member 23 and interlock the same, as will be described in greater detail presently.

Novel means for interlocking the division plate 23, and more specically the shorter leg portion 52 thereof with both the battered radius member 26 and the curbside liexible radius member 22, is provided along the upper outer end of the short leg portion S2; such locking means being designated .generally at 60 in FIG. 4. As therein illustrated, the locking means 60 comprises a generally cylindrical tubular body member 61 which is atiixed as by welding 62 along the upper edge of the leg portion 52 and receives a locking rod member 63 having a transversely related locking linger portion 64 at one end thereof and a similar locking finger portion 65 at its opposite end; such finger portions 64 and 65 being axially beyond the respectively adjacent ends of the tubular member 61, It is particularly signicant that the locking iinger portion 65 is bent at an oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal aXis of the rod member 63, the angle of bend being dictated by the degree of batter dened by the battered radius member 26. On the other hand, the locking finger portion 64 is disposed at right angles with respect to the rod member 63 so as to parallel the upright or vertically disposed radius member 22 for locking operation. It also will be appreciated that in order to interlock the division member 23 with both the battered radius member 26 and the curbside radius member 22, the locking means 60 is activated by rotating rod 63 thereof to dispose the locking finger portions 64 and 65 thereof interferingly over and outside of the two radius members 22 and 26. Conversely, quick release of the locking means 66 is effected by rotating the rod means 63 so as to dispose the finger portions 64 and 65 in nonengaging condition with respect to the radius members 22 and 26, as indicated by the dotted line positions therefor indicated at 64' and 65' respectively in FIG. 4.

From the above it will be recognized that the assembly of the division plate means 23 to and between the flexible radius members 21 and 22 is effected very simply and conveniently by merely dropping the division means 23 in position so as to dispose the body portion 50 thereof in a :generally vertical plane with the locking tab means 55 overhanging and engaging the upper edge 56 of radius member 21. Once the battered radins member 26 is correctly positioned on the division means 23, the locking means 60 associated with the latter may be activated into locking position as illustrated in FIG. 4, thereby interlocking the division plate means 23 with both the battered radius member 26 and the inner or curbside iiexible radius member 22. It is to be noted in this latter respect that the battered edge portion 66 which bounds one margin of the short leg 52 on plate means 23, merges with the upper edge 54 of the long leg portion 51 thereof via a radius 67 and that the contour thus provided by the edges and 54, 66 and radius 67 undersupport the I- shaped battered radius member 26 as illustrated in the drawings. Thus in addition to its function as a separator means for dividing the concrete poured in the form means 20, division means 23 also acts as a guide and under-support for the battered radius member 26 and as a cross-connecting means rigidifying and holding the two flexible radius members or barriers 21 and 22 in spaced relation.

While the full division plate means 23 as abovedescribed is fully satisfactory for its intended purposes, municipal restrictions and building codes many times require only partial division or separation of adjacent sections `of curbing. To that end, so-called partial division plates such as plate means 24, illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings, are provided according to the present invention. In many installations, both full and partial division plate means are combined in a single assembly of form means 20, as typically shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings. As best shown in FIG. 5, partial division plate means 24 therein shown is quite similar to the hereinabove described features and structure of division plate means 23, except that means 24 lacks the long leg portion 51 of the L-shaped body as employed in the full division plate means 23. Consequently, as shown, the partial division plate means 24 includes a planar metal body portion 70, which corresponds generally to the short leg portion 52 of the previously described full division plate means 23. Since the long leg portion 51 Iof the full division plate means 23 is eliminated in the structure of the partial division plate means 24, interconnection between the latters body portion 70 and the gutter side radius member 21 is accomplished by means Iof an elongated rigid metal bar 71, fixed as by welding 72 to a lower edge 73 of the body portion 70. As shown bar 71 projects outwardly of the body portion 70 and cooperates with the latter to determine the desired spacing between the two exible barrier radius members 21 and 22. Means for attaching one end 0f the bar 71 to the radius member 21 is accomplished as in the manner employed in division plate means 23. Thus a locking strap 74 having a downwardly turned tab portion '75 is welded or rigidly aiixed to the upper side 76 of the bar 71 to overhang the edge 56 of the radius member 21. A plate member 78 having upturned tab means 79 (corresponding to member 58 of plate means 23) is fixed to the bar 71 for locating and locking the outer edge of the battered radius member 26 in assembly. As with the full division plate means 23 above-described, locking means 6) also are provided along the upper edge of the partial division plates body portion 70, for interlocking the latter with the battered radius member 26 and the curbside flexible radius member 22.

It will be appreciated and understood by those familiar with the art that both the full division plate means 23 and the partial division plate means 24 so far described, serve, as means for separating or sectionalizing the poured concrete and also as positive rigid means for maintaining desired spacing between the two liexible radius members 21 and 22. The tabs 59 and 79 further provide convenient means for accurately locating the battered radius member 26 in parallel relation with respect to the radius members 21 and 22.

A modified form of the partial division plate means 24 hereinabove described, is illustrated at 25 in FIG. 6 of the drawings. As shown therein, plate means 25 satisfies still further variations in local building codes and practices where a full division or separation of the curbing sections, particularly above the upper face of the poured gutter, is undesired. In order to meet such conditions, the partial division plate and separator means 25 comprises a planar metal body portion 80 which has a long leg portion 31 adapted to extend substantially Ibetween the battered radins member 26 and the gutter side radius member 21. Body portion 80 further includes an inclined or battered arm portion 82 adapted to reside against and undersupport the battered radius member 26 in operation and which merges integrally with leg portion 81 and a generally horizontally disposed upper arm portion' 83 and a depending rear leg portion 84. The several portions 81 through 84 of the body member 80 are fashioned of rather narrow uniform depth formulating a substantially question-mark shaped elevation profile. It will be understood that in operation the plane of the body portion 80 lies substantially transverse to the radius members 21 and 22 and that the band width of the body portion provides only a partial separation of the poured concrete, curbing and gutter. As in the full division plate means 23 and the partial division plate means 24, the partial division plate means 25 is equipped with device for locking the same to the one radius member 21, such comprising locking strap member 85 having a downwardly turned tab portion 86 which overhangs the upper edge 56 of the radius member 21 in operation. Located radially inwardly from the member locking device S is a locating and locking strap S8 having lan upturned tab 89 ror aligning and holding an `adjacent edge of the battered radius member 26.

The upper `arm portion S3 of the planar body member 80 also is equipped with a modified locking means 90 which is similar to the locking means 60 heretofore described. As such, means 90 includes a tubular body member 91 welded to the upper edge 92 of arm portion 85 to house a rotatable rod 93 having an angularly turned or related locking finger 94 and an oppositely turned operating finger 95. By appropriately rotating rod 93 the locking finger 94 is moved over the outside face of upper margin of the battered radius member 26 to lock the same tightly against the outside edge of the battered arm portion 82 of means 25. Effective connecting engagement between the curbside radius member 22 and the partial division plate means 25 is accomplished by providing a locking strap 96 having a downwardly turned tab portion 97 which is affixed, as by welding means 98 to the upper edge 92 of the arm portion S3, so that the tab portion 97 thereon overhangs the upper margin of the radius member 22 in operation.

Turning now to the features of the improved battered radius means 26 of this invention, reference is especially made to FIGS, l, 2, 4 and 7-11 of the drawings, wherein the same is best illustrated. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and ll` means 26 comprises an articulately flexible form member made up of a plurality of individual semi-rigid sections, such as sections 100, 101 and 102 (FIG. 1l), interconnected in tandem by connector means 104. While the illustration of FIG. 11 shows only three sections in tandem relation, it will be understood that the number thereof may be varied depending on the desired length of battered radius form required. However, the three section combination shown in FIG. 11 is convenient for handling purposes. In practice one or more of such three section forms may be interjoined as dictated by the curvilinear length of a given radius curbing lay-out. In any event, each section, such as section 101 illustrated in FIGS. 7-1O of the drawings, comprises a planar metal body portion 105 inclined in operating position at a predetermined batter and integrated with an outwardly turned and angularly ofset lower apron portion 106 and an intervening radial bend portion 107 (see FIGS. 4 and Adjacent each lateral margin of the planar body portion 105 are three openings 108, 109, and 110, disposed in common vertical alignment and located inwardly of the adjacent lateral edge 111 or 112 of the radius form section. Apron portion 106 and the radial curve portion 107 of each section are severed by a plurality of inwardly extending slotted openings 113 (there being three such openings per section in the illustrated case) each extending from the forward or leading edge 114 of the apron 106 to substantially the line of merger between the radial portion 107 and the planar body portion 105 (see FIG. 9). Such slotted openings 113 are relatively narrow but due to the flexible nature of the metal from which the sections of the battered radius means are preferably produced, such as spring steel, each slotted opening 113 is adapted to be opened to form a wedge-shaped configuration as illustrated in the plan view of FIG. 7 or to be closed so as to bring the opposing lateral side 115 and 116 thereof into abutting engagement (see FIGS. 7 and 8). Thus articulate opening and closing movement of the several slots 113 accommodates bending of the related form section such as section 101 for example, about so-called inside and outside radial centers in accordance with the curvilinear lay-out of the radius form means illustrated in FGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings. Thus the four separated segment portions of the apron 105 of each form section, as defined by and between the slotted openings 113 therein are free to articulate within limits relative to the planar body portion and substantially along hinge lines defined opposite the slotted openings 113, thereby to permit radius bending of the form means 26.

In addition to the articulate movement of the individual sections 10G-102, etc., as above described, each section also articulates with respect to its neighboring sections by virtue of the unique connector means 104 joining such sections.

With particular reference to FIGS. 7 through 10 of the drawings, it will be recognized that the connector means 104 as therein illustrated comprises a generally rectangular metal plate member 118 best seen in FIG. 9, which is adapted to bridge and overlay opposed marginal edges 111 and 112 of adjacent form sections of the form means 26 as shown particularly in FIG. ll of the drawings. The planar plate member 11S as shown in FiG. 10, is adapted to be mounted over the front face of planar body portion 105 of each of two adjacent form sections such as sections 100 and 101 for example, and is pivotally connected thereto by connective means such as rivets 120. In greater particular, each plate 118 has six openings therethrough, each receptive of a rivet 120 which also is mounted through one of the openings 108410 of the section body portion 105. It will be noted (FIG. 9) that pairs of openings 121 and 122 of the plate means 118 are elongated along axes parallcling the said marginal edges. On the other hand, a central pair of openings 125, are formed circular and cach contorming in size with a central opening 109 formed through the body portion 105 of the associated form section, such as section 101 illustrated in F1533. 7 through lt) of the drawings. Thus, in attaching the plate member 118 to the margins of adjacent form sections such as sections 101 and 102 for example, the rivet means 120 which extends through openings 125 and the central openings 109 of the form section body portion 105, act as pivotal means permitting movement of the plate 11S and form sections thereabout, as indicated by the dotted lines adjacent the upper and lower margins 123 and 124, respectively, of the plate means 11d (see FIG. 9). Gn the other hand, the rivets 120 which are mounted through the slotted Openings 121 and 122 and the corresponding underlying openings 108 and 110 of the form sections, permit relative movement of the plate means 11S and the underlying form sections joined thereto. it will be appreciated, that in a battered radius form means 26 comprising three sections 100-102, as illustrated in FIG. ll, for example, limited pivotal and articulate activity of the several sections 100-102 with respect to the connector means 104 is thus provided according to this invention.

Since in many installations as in the assembly of drawings FIGS. l and 2, the length of the curbing to be formed is greater than the three section length of the battered radius form member 26 of FIG. 11 for example, it is fully contemplated according to the present invention that removable connector plate members 118 will be utilized to join adjacent three section lengths of the form means 26 by employing removable bolt means for the rivet means 120 illustrated in FIG. 9 of the drawings. Thus the user may bolt any number of individual battered form sections together to achieve the desired length of battered radius form required for a given length of radial curbing. in any event, whether the plate members 118 are removably bolted to the individual form sections or permanently af'lixcd thereto as by the rivet means, the operation and permissible relative movement between the plate means 11S and the individual form sections, as hereinabove described obtains.

While the individual segments defined by the several slotted openings 113 of each section of the battered radius form means 26 move articulately with respect to each other and while each of the several sections 10S-102 etc. move relative to each other, within limits, as dened by the slotted openings of the connector plate means 113 all Aas above-described, it is essential that the apron portions 106 of the several sections be stabilized in a substantially coplanar condition so as to maintain a desired crosssection'al configuration for the curbing and gutter to be formed in form means throughout and along the curvilinear length of the radial configuration. To this end a stabilizing keeper rod means 126 is mounted along the upper face of the apron portion 106 of the several sections of the form means 26. As shown in FIGURE l1, in a three section form assembly, such rod means 126 is of suiiicient length to extend substantially along Iand between the three sections 100-102 combined therein. Coupling the rod means to the several segments of the apron portion of the individual sections is effected by strap portions 127 which are struck upwardly out of the plane thereof to provide loops or hasps receptive of the generally cylindrical rod means 126. A welded connection 123 is provided at one point along the length of the rod means to anchor the same to one of the form sections such as the middle section 101 in FIGURE ll, while permitting the same to slide freely with respect to the other form sections 100 and 102 of that assembly. Thus rod means 126 serves to stabilize and align the several apron segments throughout the length of the battered radius form means 26, in operation.

While the manner of interconnecting adjacent three section form members 26 to accommodate various lengths of a battered radius curb has been described as being accomplished by removably attaching auxiliary connector means 104 -between adjacent sections as required, right angle connector liange means 129 (see FIGS. 11 and 12) may also be utilized particularly at the ends of the battered radius form means 26 for joining the same to linear curb form means having battered curb face form member 130, as shown in FIGURE 12 of the drawings. It is fully contemplated that the standard three section form member 26 of the order illustrated in FIGURE ll may be equipped normally with one such ilange connector means 129 at one end thereof in practice; the same being permanently or removably fixed to the associated segments planar body portion 105. The utilization of such ange connector means 129 however is optional since in the normal order of events joining the battered radius form means with a linear curb face form member may also be accomplished by merely abutting the opposing ends thereof, according to familiar practice.

From the foregoing it is 'believed that those familiar with the art will readily appreciate that the improved and unique battered radius form member or means 26 hereinabove described provides an articulately iiexible form capable of accomplishing one of the most difficult forming problems in curb and gutter work, namely, a battered radius for both inside and outside radial centers. It also will be recognized that the series of individual form sections iioat freely by virtue of the improved connector means 104 and thereby accommodate the radial deformation of the form means; permitting the same to be pulled to an extremely tight radius generally limited by the abutting engagement of opposing marginal ends 111 and 112 of adjacent f-orm sections and the opposing sides 115 :and 116 of the slotted apron openings therein. Conversely, radius bending in a reverse direction is also permitted during which the several slotted openings 113- ofthe individual segments are spread as illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 7 of the drawings.

As above-noted a battered radius form means 20, according to this invention, is normally mounted around a radial curb and operationally cooperates with linear curb forms which merge with the opposite ends of the radial curbing. This relationship is illustrated best in FIG. l2 of the drawings wherein the interconnection and relation between the above-described form means or assembly 20 and an adjacent linear curb form system is illustrated. As depicted the linear form system typically comprises the hereinabove referred to face form member 130, :a back face form 131 and a gutter face form 132. Both the back face form and glitter face forms constitute linear metal railings of substantially C-shaped cross-section presenting planar curb walls or barriers definitive of the respective lboundaries for the poured concrete curb and gutter, while the face form is a I-battered coniiguration according to recognized practice in this art.

With speciiic reference to FIGS. 12 and 13 of the drawings, it will be appreciated that the rail like back face and gutter face form members 131 and 132 are held in vertical upright position by plural anchor stakes 133 coupled t-o pocket members 134 attached to the outside of the forms 131 and 132. In order to mount the curb face form member 130 in suspended position for joint free forming, or that is curb forming without the use of division plates, an improved c-urb face form hanger means 135 according to this invention is employed, as will now be described in detail.

As illustrated in FIGURES 13-15, the hanger means 135 comprises a planar metal body portion 136 formed of steel plate or similar rigid material and having an elevational profile substantially that of a question mark adapted to be operationally utilized in a generally horizontally or reclining position. In greater particular the body portion 136 includes an elongated leg portion 137 the outer end of which is adapted to rest atop the upper Harige portion 138 of the gutter face form 132 in operation. Leg portion 137 merges at its opposite end with an angu'larly disposed upwardly reaching arm portion 139 including a stop ear 140 which is adapted to engage the top face of an upper horizontal flange 141 on the I-curb face form 130. The upper end of arm portion 139 is cross-connected by a neck portion 142 with a depending mounting leg 143 having a transverse mounting foot flange 14d at the lower end thereof. It will be appreciated that the various portions 137, 139, 142. and 143 are of substantially uniform Vertical dimension and that the entire body 136 of the hanger means is preferably produced as a unitary member.

Whereas the outer end of the leg portion 137 rests on top of the upper liange for the gutter face form member 132 as above-indicated, the opposite end of the hangers body 136, bearing the mounting foot flange 144, is positively coupled to the upper iiange of the back face form member 131. In order to accomplish this function the mounting flange 144 is iixed transversely across the lower end of the depending leg portion 143 and includes a hook member 146 formed along the outer marginal end thereof to extend past and beneath a depending lip flange 147 provided along the outer edge of upper liange portion 145 of the curb face form 131 (see FIG. 13). Attached to the hook means 146 fis a mounting bracket 150 which is extended .beyond the lower extremities of the hook means 146 in operating position as viewed in FIG. 14. Bracket means 150 includes a pair of parallel spaced wall portions 151 and 152 having registeringly aligned openings (not indicated) for rotatably receiving a cylindrical operating rod 155 -having an outwardly turned manually engageable handle portion 156 at its outer end and an eccentric locking means 157 at its opposite end. As shown in FIG. 15 the locking means 157 comprises a cylindrical member 158 attached to the end of the rod means 155 in an off center relationship therewith so that upon rotation of the operating rod 155 member 15S is operatively movable into locking engagement with the underface of the upper flange portion 145 on the form member 131.

In order to suspend the curb face form 130 in proper position intermediate and parallel the back and gutter face form members 131 and 132, a locking handle 160 is provided, as best lillustrated in FIGURE 13 of the drawings. As shown the locking handle includes a planar operating arm portion 161 and a coplanar locking leg portion 162 at one end thereof; such two portions being related in a substantially L-shaped configuration with the leg portion 162 having an angularly inclined outer edge 163 delll fining the desired slope or battered operating position for curb face form member 130 in the particular illustrated embodiment. Leg portion 162 is also cut away along its upper edge to provide a notch opening 164, which Iin operation is adapted to receive and undersupport and grip a depending lip flange 165 formed along the forward or outer edge of the upper flange 1.41 of face form member 130. Pivot means 166 attaches the locking handle 160 t0 one side of the inclined arm portion 139 of the hanger body 135 whereby the locking handle 160 Iis arcuately movable about the pivot axis relative to the hanger body 136 (see FIG. 13). Means for locking the handle 16) in operating position, whereat the face form 130 is held in proper position, is provided by means of an indented camming groove 167 formed in the operating handle 161 and extending arcuately upward of the lower edge 168 thereof; groove 167 terminating in an opening 167a. A locking pin 169 protrudes outwardly of the leg 137 of the hanger body and engages the groove 167 to spring the handle 160 laterally away from leg 137 as it is swung downwardly to its operating position along side leg 137. vVhen pin 169 is opposite opening 167:1 the handle 160 springs back toward the leg portion 137 to lock the handle in position. In this condition, the upper edge 170 of the leg portion 162 is operatively disposed in abutting adjacency with the underface of flange portion 141 on the curb face form 130 and the leading edge 163 thereof is tightly engaged with the outside face 171 thereof. Meanwhile the notch 164 receives the lip flange 16S of the face form as previously related. In this operating posil tion, as indicated by the full line showing of means 160 in FIG. 13, the upper face of the flange 141 on the face form member 130 is pressed tightly beneath and into abutting engagement with the projection stop ear 140 of the hanger means. Thus the face form member 130 is suspended on the hanger means 135 and is tightly locked and held in proper operating position thereby.

From the foregoing it is believed that those familiar with the art will readily recognize and appreciate the numerous advantages and unique features of the present invention and will understand that while the hereinabove described embodiment thereof is especially related to a battered radius form system, numerous changes, modifications, and substitutions of equivalents may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Consequently, it is intended that the present invention is unlimited by the foregoing description of a preferred and illustrative embodiment thereof except as may appear in the following appended claims.

We claim:

1. Means for forming curvilinear concrete curb structures comprising: plural radius form members having elongated flexible body portions carrying spaced means for anchoring the same generally upright to deiine parallel spaced curvilinear boundary barriers for the concrete structure therebetween, plural spaced division spreader means mounted Ibetween and connected to opposing said form members to maintain the same in spaced parallelism, and articulately ilexible elongated battered radius form means supported on said division spreader means in spaced parallelism to and between the barriers provided by said form members; said battered radius form means comprising a plurality of tandem related ilexible metal Sections, each having a flexible planar body portion definitive of a battered curb face barrier and an integral apron portion extending angularly outwardly of the lower margin thereof, said apron portion comprising a plurality of relatively movable separated segments; articulate connector means joining adjacent said sections and providing limited articulation thereof about a pair of spaced pivotal axes generally transverse to the plane of said body portions thereof, and stabilizing means extending between the plural sections of said form means and having mobile connection with each of the said segments of the apron portions thereof to maintain said segments in coplanar alignment While permitting the same to move relatively `as said body portions -articulate and tlex into selected curvilinear alignments.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said rdivision spreader means includes locking means interconnectable with -the apron margin of said battered Aradius form means to locate the same in predetermined spaced relation with said form members.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said articulate connector means comprises a planar plate member mounted to overlap adjacent lateral marginal portions of adjacent sections of said battered radius form means, and means pivotally interjoining said plate member with each of said marginal portions whereby adjacent said sections are pivotally movable with respect to said connector means and each other and including means limiting said pivotal movement of said adjacent sections.

4. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said division means carry locking means at the upper limits thereof for simultaneously engaging and effecting locking connection with the upper marginal regions of one of said radius members and said battered radius means.

5. The combination set forth in claim 4 wherein said locking means comprises a manually operable rotatable rod member having a locking finger at one end thereof adapted to overlie the outside face of the battered radius means and interferingly prevent removal of the latter from the said division means in response to selected manual rotation of said yrod member.

6. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said battered radius form means has a substantially J-shaped cross-sectional configuration and in which the several segments of said apron portion thereof are separated by slotted openings extending inwardly of the outer margin of said apron portion to substantially the junction between the same and the planar body portion, whereby bending of said flexible body portion about a remote radial center causes said segments of said apron portion to articulate toward and away from one another to correspondingly close and open said slotted openings; and said stabilizing means comprises an elongated rod passing through hasps formed integrally with the apron portion and intermediate the lateral limits of each of said segments thereof, said rod member being slidable relative ot said segments in response to articulation of the latter, and means anchoring said rod member to one of said segments.

7. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said spaced means for anchoring said radius form members are stake receiving pocket means attached to the exterior surface of the ilexible body portion of said form members and have aligne-d openings formed therethrough, and flexible bar means mountable through said aligned openings of said several spaced means so as to extend along the exterior face of said ilexible body portion thereby to reinforce the same intermediate said spaced means.

8. In form means for poured concrete curbs of the class described, battered radius form means comprising a plurality of articulately interconnected metal form sections, eaeh having a planar body portion definitive of a battered curb barrier in operative position and a skirt portion projecting from a lower margin thereof, said skirt portion being separated into a plurality of laterally spaced segments by means of a plurality of spaced slotted openings extending inwardly from the outer margin of said skirt portion to substantially the junction thereof with said body portion, said segments being articulately movable about pivotal axes spaced along the length of said body portion, in the plane thereof and substantially opposite each of said slotted openings; and flexible stabilizing means having sliding connection with said segments and operative to maintain the said outer margin thereof in coplanar alignment while the said body portion of said sections are flexibly bent about selected centers of curvature.

9. The combination set forth in claim 8 wherein adjacent metal sections of said battered radius form means are articulately interjoined by common connector means comprising a planar plate member overlapping adjacent lateral margins of adjacent said sections, pivot means interconnecting each of said margins with said plate member whereby said adjacent sections and plate member are pivotally movable relative to one another about spaced pivot axes aligned generally transverse to the plane of said plate member, and means limiting said relative pivotal movement of said plate member and adjacent sections.

10. For use in form means for poured concrete curb and gutters ofthe class described, including curb face form members, back face form members and gutter face form members; each form member having an upper ilange portion, improved hanger means for suspending the curb face form members interme-diately parallel to said gutter and back face form members, comprising a rigid body member adapted to extend between and overlie the upper flange portions of said gutter and back face form members, and having a stop ear formed intermediate its ends, hook means at one end of said body member for underengagng the upper ange of the back face form member, eccentric locking means adajcent said hook means for locking said one end of said body member to the flange on said back face form member in response to rotation of a manually actuated operating rod therefor, and pivotally movable handle means connected to said body member adjacent said stop ear and including a portion adapted to engage and under support the upper ange on the curb face form member and press the outer face thereof tightly against said stop ear in response to pivotal movement of said handle means appropriately to an operating position whereat the same is aligned substantially registeringly alongside said body member, and means removably locking said handle means in said operating position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,615,178 1/1927 Moss et a1. 249--5 X 1,637,998 8/ 1927 Heltzel 249--5 2,626,444 l/ 1953 Wolf et al 249-8 I. SPENCER OVERHOLSER, Primary Examiner.

D. W. JONES, Assistant Examiner. 

1. MEANS FOR FORMING CURVILINEAR CONCRETE CURB STRUCTURES COMPRISING: PLURAL RADIUS FROM MEMBERS HAVING ELONGATED FLEXIBLE BODY PORTIONS CARRYING SPACED MEANS FOR ANCHORING THE SAME GENERALLY UPRIGHT TO DEFINE PARALLEL SPACED CURVILINEAR BOUNDARY BARRIERS FOR THE CONCRETE STRUCTURE THEREBETWEEN, PLURAL SPACED DIVISION SPREADER MEANS MOUNTED BETWEEN AND CONNECTED TO OPPOSING SAID FORM MEMBERS TO MAINTAIN THE SAME IN SPACED PARALLELISM, AND ARTICULATELY FLEXIBLE ELONGATED BATTERED RADIUS FORM MEANS SUPPORTED ON SAID DIVISION SPREADER MEANS IN SPACED PARALLELISM TO AND BETWEEN THE BARRIERS PROVIDED BY SAID FORM MEMBERS; SAID BATTERED RADIUS FORM MEANS COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF TANDEM RELATED FLEXIBLE METAL SECTIONS, EACH HAVING A FLEXIBLE PLANAR BODY PORTION DEFINITIVE OF A BATTERED CURB FACE BARRIER AND AN INTERGRAL APRON PORTION EXTENDING ANGULARLY OUTWARDLY OF THE LOWER MARGIN THEREOF, SAID APRON PORTION COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF RELATIVELY MOVABLE SEPARATED SEGMENTS; ARTICULATE CONNECTOR MEAN JOINING ADJACENT SAID SECTIONS AND PROVIDING LIMITED ARTICULATION THEREOF ABOUT A PAIR OF SPACED PIVOTAL AXES GENERALLY TRANSVERSE TO THE PLANE OF SAID BODY PORTIONS THEREOF, AND STABILIZING MEANS EXTENDING BETWEEN THE PLURAL SECTIONS OF SAID FORM MEANS AND HAVING MOBILE CONNECTION WITH EACH OF THE SAID SEGMENTS OF THE APRON PORTIONS THEREOF TO MAINTAIN SAID SEGMENTS IN COPLANAR ALIGNMENT WHILE PERMITTING THE SAME TO MOVE RELATIVELY AS SAID BODY PORTIONS ARTICULATE AND FLEX INTO SELECTED CURVILINEAR ALIGNMENTS. 